A person in Gwinnett County’s Dacula Elementary School has a confirmed case of monkeypox, according to a letter sent to students’ families.

Principal Holly Warren distributed the letter Friday, Aug. 26, soon after learning of the case.

District spokesman Bernard Watson said the person with monkeypox was tested by Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale Public Health.

Officials with Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) have not yet provided any additional identifying information, citing privacy laws.

The district is contact tracing under guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Families of children who may have had close contact with the affected person received a notice.

Here is the full message that GCPS officials sent out to parents:

Dear Dacula Elementary School families,

GNR Public Health notified Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) today that an individual at our school has tested positive for the monkeypox virus. I want to reassure you, we are taking this situation very seriously and the risk of monkeypox transmission in a school setting is very minimal. The individual in question will remain off campus until cleared to return to school by medical officials.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, GCPS is currently contact tracing and will notify parents of any students considered to be close contacts to the affected individual. Please understand that due to HIPAA and FERPA regulations, we cannot release specific information regarding individuals.

If you are not specifically notified with separate communication, your child was not identified as having close contact with a known case, and it is highly unlikely your child was exposed.

It is very important to know that monkeypox is spread through close, direct skin-to-skin contact. While the risk of transmission is very low in a school setting, we wanted to inform you of this potential exposure. Our school facilities personnel will thoroughly clean and disinfect all affected areas of the school.

Monkeypox is a virus that causes a rash that first appears like flat spots then changes into raised bumps and then fluid-filled blisters. The person may also have a fever, headache, sore throat and or cough, and swollen lymph nodes. If you believe your student has monkeypox, please notify our school nurse and your child’s primary care physician. If your student is ill, please keep them at home until they are well and can return to school in accordance with our standard illness policy.

Again, monkeypox spreads through close, personal, skin-to-skin contact, including:

• Direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or fluids from the scabs of a person with monkeypox.

• Less commonly, monkeypox can also be spread through touching objects, fabrics such as clothing, bedding, or towels, and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox or contact with respiratory secretions.

Clear and transparent two-way communication is a core value at Dacula Elementary School. It is our commitment to keep each and every family updated about important developments at our school. We wanted to make you aware of this situation as soon as possible and assure you that we are taking all possible steps to ensure a safe and healthy learning and working environment for students and staff. You can help us by keeping your student home if he or she is feeling unwell.

If you should have additional questions regarding monkeypox, please contact your doctor or local health department for more information. You can also visit the Georgia Department of Public Health or CDC’s monkeypox webpage for additional information.

Monkeypox is a virus that causes a rash that first appears like flat spots then changes into raised bumps and then fluid-filled blisters.

If a monkeypox case is confirmed in a school, the CDC recommends the child do the following:

• Be separated from other children or adolescents in a private space (such as an office).
  
• Wear a well-fitting mask (if the child is at least 2 years old).
  
• Be picked up by a caregiver so they can receive medical assessment.

Last week, a Newton County elementary school student tested posted for the virus, and a second was undergoing testing.

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